US President Donald Trump’s bold assertions of achieving peace in the Middle East after millennia are clearly unrealistic. The stability and tranquility of the region are not solely dependent on Gaza but also on the West Bank, as well as other volatile areas like Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Furthermore, the reactions of Iran to a potentially revamped peaceful relationship between Israel and Palestine, if Trump and Netanyahu can successfully orchestrate it, remain a critical factor.
The process of convincing Hamas to agree to the proposed deal and the subsequent years required for its implementation, including the reconstruction of Gaza, present numerous challenges. Hamas is expected to relinquish all power, arms, and financial resources, and then either vacate Gaza or embrace a peaceful future.
In many respects, Trump has granted Netanyahu a free hand to act as he sees fit if Hamas refuses to comply with the “plan.” Given the deep-seated animosity and distrust, significant obstacles and a potential resurgence of conflict are foreseeable. Israel has been presented with an enticing offer that it is unlikely to decline, holding considerable leverage in the situation.
Rather than a genuine peace proposal, this appears more as an ultimatum directed at Hamas. Trump has cautioned that if Hamas rejects the terms, Netanyahu is authorized to take necessary actions.
The militant fighters and perpetrators of the October 7 attacks have endured years of intense conflict, experiencing and inflicting brutality upon themselves and their loved ones. Efforts to rehabilitate and dissuade them and their associates from rebelling against the process will be substantial.
Additionally, the concept of a two-state solution, widely endorsed by many nations as a fair resolution granting Palestinians sovereignty and respect, remains a tentative prospect contingent upon meeting all other prerequisites, including the reconstruction of Gaza with its economic zones, a new police force, and a Palestinian governing entity.
Critics can easily find flaws in this plan. Yet, since the outbreak of war in October 2023, this initiative represents the closest approach to ending the conflict. It is plausible that the people of Gaza, weary of death, injury, and devastation, may ensure the permanent disappearance of Hamas and suppress any inclination to violate the agreement.
Numerous pitfalls exist within this plan, indicating that it is still in its nascent stages and heavily favors Israel’s dominance. While the plan lacks specificity, allowing room for error on both sides, it might currently be the most optimistic prospect available.